Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2000

The Board dismissed the veteran's appeal because his substantive appeal was not timely filed.

The Board has granted service connection for post-traumatic osteoarthritis. The veteran's claims of service connection for ischemic heart disease due to beri-beri and PTSD are pending.

The veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease with sciatica and osteoarthritis lumbosacral spine is rated at 20 percent, while his service-connected migraine headaches are rated at 30 percent.

The Board has granted a 30 percent rating for the veteran's service-connected shell fragment wound of muscle group III of the left shoulder with secondary osteoarthritis, finding that his current symptoms are consistent with severe disability.

The VA has granted a 30 percent rating for the veteran's degenerative arthritis of the right hip, which is currently rated as 30 percent disabling.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim of entitlement to an increased rating for periostitis, finding that the evidence does not support a higher evaluation.

The Board found that the veteran's left knee arthritis and DDD of the lumbar spine are not proximately due to, the result of, or aggravated by his service-connected right ankle fracture.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for further examination and development of the claim, including obtaining medical records and arranging for an orthopedic and neurologic examination.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected gout is manifested by intermittent pain, swelling, and loss of range of motion in his ankles, left knee, and left elbow. The disability does not warrant a rating higher than 20 percent.

The Board has denied all claims for increased evaluations, finding that the veteran's conditions do not warrant higher ratings based on current evidence of record.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for osteoarthritis of the left foot and bilateral flat feet are well-grounded. The claim for osteoarthritis of the left foot is granted, while the claim for bilateral flat feet remains not well-grounded.

The Board granted entitlement to an increased evaluation of 20 percent for the left knee disability effective from January 17, 1996; and affirmed the previous evaluations as to the left knee disability. The right shoulder impingement syndrome remains on appeal.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and a higher evaluation for his thoracic spine disability were denied. The RO found that the veteran did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 30 percent for cervical spine arthritis, or for a compensable evaluation prior to August 19, 1993, for chest wall symptoms associated with thoracic spine degenerative disc disease.

The veteran's PTSD resulted in symptoms bordering on gross repudiation of reality with disturbed thought or behavioral processes associated with almost all daily activities such as fantasy and confusion, resulting in a demonstrable inability to obtain or retain employment. The veteran's degenerative arthritis of the lumbosacral spine is manifested by no more than moderate limitation of motion.

The Board has determined that the submitted evidence is not new and material to reopen the veteran's claims for service connection for osteoarthritis of the left hip and knee, both claimed as secondary to a service-connected gunshot wound of the left tibia with traumatic arthritis of the ankle. The August 1997 rating decision remains final.

The Board has granted a waiver of recovery of an overpayment of VA compensation benefits in the amount of $670.00, finding that recovery would be against equity and good conscience.

The veteran's claim for a compensable rating for his service-connected right fifth finger disability was denied by the RO.

The Board granted an initial rating of 50 percent for the veteran's head injury with residual headaches and denied a compensable rating for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine prior to February 2000. The claim for service connection for bilateral degenerative joint disease of the knees remains on appeal.

The Board found that the veteran's claim of service connection for mild scoliosis of the thoracic spine with mild osteoarthritis was not well grounded and denied it.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected disabilities, including degenerative arthritis of the lumbar and cervical spines, third degree burn scars of the left hand, forearm, and flank, as well as second degree burn scars. The effective dates for these decisions are not specified.